Coil ramp with movable release saddle



March 6, 1956 c. M. WHG 2,737,305

con. RAMP WITH MovAELE RELEASE SADDLE Filed Nov. 14, 1952 s sheets-sheet 1 {LQMI w il 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 C. M. WHG

COIL. RAMP WITH MOVABLE RELEASE SADDLE March 6, 1956 Filed Nov. 14, 1952 '1m ihm MINIMUM March 6, 1956 c. M. wllG 2,737,306

COIL RAMP WITH MOVABLE RELEASE SADDLE Filed Nov. 14, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet I5 March 6, 1956 c. M. WHG 2,737,306

COIL. RAMP WITH MOVABLE RELEASE SADDLE Filed Nov. 14, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 n u g ig li V-i Zia/@waff i [gffqym @/W M March 6, 1956 c. M. WHG

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Filed Nov. 14, 1952 March 6, 1956 C, M- WHG 2,737,306

COIL RAMP WITH MOVABLE RELEASE SADDLE United States Patent@ 2,737,306 WITH MovABLE RELEASE SADDLE- 'lisgfeif vi'ig, Cricngn,v In., assigner mi; j. Litfii lune Company, Chicago; Ill., a corporation of M The invention relates to improvements in ramp structures for coil loading reels and has referencein particu` lat to acoil ramp having coil release means in the fori-mof a movable saddle. lIn one form of the invention the movable saddle is combined with stationary saddles for supporting the coil and holding the coil stationary in advance of its release b'y the movable saddle.

In the past a number of devices have beenl employed for holding and releasing a coil of metal stock supported on a `ramp leading to a cradle type reel. The simplest method consists in .providing a dog which protrudesup'- wrdly from the ramp into contact with the coil and which i`s withdrawn by hand for releasing the coil. Other variations have included several such dogs so t-lat the` oil would be held and released in better alignment.- Also .the .same have been constructed witli ltogglesf'to gain additional leverage for releasing Ythe coil; Air cyliiiL ders have been provided in combination with releasing pavvlsy for safety reasons since the use of a hand operatedr lever is eliminated. Steel mills have constructed release with a large section of the ramp tilting upward to form the' locking sui-'face and when retracted the locking sur; faces become a portion of theV ramp propel".

The developments above mentioned have in everyl case simply released the coil, allowing the same to roll downthe rampunder the action of gravity. However, lthis mode of operation has at least one inherent diiculty, namely, lthatwith the coil at rest one is faced with tlie enormous weight of the coil, and due to the coetlicieiit of static friction the tendency of the coil is' to' tem-ainai rest. This mustbe overcome in order toj produce rolling movement of the coil on the ramp. 'Even` fairly' steep ramps it is a common occurrence to employ a' crow bar to start the coil rolling. However; 'once a coil is started rolling it seems to roll do'wn a very slight incline without any trouble. Accordingly, another 'de'-A velopment has been the additional use of a 'pusher' linger behind the coil so thatup'on release' 'of the'lio'ldng or `deg the coil was given anpin'itial push to' overcome its static inertia and startv it rolling.

A In view' of 'the ,foregoing a general object of Athe present invention resides in the provision 'of 'an improved cuil supporting ramp having novel coil release nieans' in the ferm of a pivoted saddle" 'which is elevated to' tneeusl-y release the coil and start it ruil-ing` down 'tire ramp. K Y

Another and more specific object 'of vthe present' inf ventio'n resides in thepr'ovision of a 'snpportin'g ranp for supporting coils of metal'stock prior to loading tli onto a cradle reel and wherein the ramp is provided with stationary saddles for supporting the 'coil an'd'wit'h-v a movable saddle for releasing the coil. A,

A further object i's to provide a `movable saddlefor supporting a coil of metal stockand-which: yis' generally Vfshaped to providev a trough `for supporting the coi-l; h. digs the soilY estiman when the saddle 4isin lovvetiedy positie .w but imparting rolling movement to the coil when the ddl is elevated.

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`Another object of the invention is to provide a` movable saddle having a V-shaped coil supporting surface and wherein the movable saddle is conveniently elevated by air pressure to release the coil and impart initial rolling action thereto to start its movement down the ramp.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a coil ramp havin-g supporting and release saddles of improvedl construction and operation, and wherein an end gauge is incorporated therewith so that the coil upon being: initially loaded on the ramp inv supported with the stationary `saddles thereof will be properly positioned centrally of the ramp andY approximately centrally of the movablensaddle which has location between the station ary saddles.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved coil ramp that can be secured to its coil loading reel so that the' structures are in perfect alignment for the: most satisfactory and efficient operation.

Another object is to provide a coil loading ramp hav# ing connecting means for pivotally joining the same to its coil loading reel, and wherein limited pivotal actionbetween the ramp and the reel permits adjustment of the inclination of the rampV to suit individual requirements,v and which is accomplished without losing perfect lig'ni mentbet-ween the structures.

With these and various other objectsy in View, the in* vention may consist of certain novel featuresof con: struction and operation as will be more fully descrilied and particularly pointed out in the specication, draw ings and claims appended thereto. A v y v I-n the drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the invention, and wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts- I l Figure l is a side elevational view illustrating the coil rampv of the invention in combination with a cradle type' reelV andy wherein a coil of metal stock is shown in s'tationarily supported relation on the ramp;

Fig-ure 2 is a top plan view of the improved coil supportingramp of the invention;

Figure 3 is a side elevational View of the coil supiy porting ramp of Figure 2, illustrating the position of various parts when a coil of metal stock is supported en the ,stationary saddles;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the present coil supporting ramp, with parts being shownin section, andl which additionally illustrates the position of the parts' with the -movable saddle elevated for releasing the coil of meta-l stock and initiating its rolling movement down tli lampi' i Figure 5 is a fragmentary end elevational view show'f ing the right hand end of the coil supportingv ramp of the invention and the air cylinder for actuating the mov" able saddle," for effecting coil release;

Figure 6 is a side elevational view showing modification' comprising several coil supporting' saddles in tandem relation, with the saddles being positioned for lholdingf the coils stationary;

4vFigure 7 is a rear transverse View taken substantially along line 7:;-7 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a front transverse view taken substantially along line 8;8 of Figure 6; a

Figure 9 is a fragmentary plan View showing structural details of the center saddle of the three movable saddles' as illustrated in Figure 6; and

Figure 10 is a side elevational View of the movable'r saddle and associated structure as shown in Figure" 9.

Referring to the drawings, one 'embodiment of. the invention selected for illustration is disclosed in Figure Vl in combination with a cradle type reell generally indicated by numeral 10 and including spaced side members `11V joinedby yfront wall 12. The side members 11 suitably journal the coil supporting shafts 13 and 14, which are operatively connected so that they rotate in unison and which are conveniently driven by the motor drive unit by connecting chains or pulleys not shown. The motor drive unit is motor driven and includes speed variating mechanism capable of adjustment by the hand wheel 16 to select the proper speed of rotation for thersupporting shafts 13 and 14. The side members 11 suitably journal a pair of rotary guide plates 17 and 18, each plate being rotatably mounted by means of hub 20 on a shaft 21 supported by its respective side member 11 for movement laterally of the member. By means of the electric motor 22 and the gear mechanism 23 it is possible to effect lateral movement of each shaft 21 in order to position the rotary guide plate for receiving a coil of metal stock. In operation the rotary guide plates 17 and 18 are spaced a distance sufficient to receive therebetween the said coil of stock and then the motors 22 are actuated to bring the rotary guide plates into contact with the respective sides of the coil. As a result the coil is supported and rotated by the supporting shafts 13 and 14 and the side edges of the coil are protected by means of plates 17 and 18 which accordingly rotate with the coil as the strip material 24 is withdrawn therefrom.

The ramp of the invention essentially consists of a coil supporting portion and a ramp or inclined portion, the two portions having articulated relation with each other, as will be presently described in detail, and the ramp portion being pivotally secured to and supported by the rear wall 25 of the reel. The said ramp portion essentially consists of a flat plate 26 having reinforcing webs and ribs integrally secured to the underside thereof, and having a longitudinally extending slot 27 located centrally of the plate for receiving the loop control arm 28. The ribs on the underside of the plate 26 consist of side ribs 30 and 31 which extend from the forward transverse rib 32 to yand beyond the rear transverse rib 33. Substantially centrally of the plate and on respective sides of the longitudinal slot 27 the plate is reinforced on its underside by ribs 34 and 35, the same being joined by the transverse web 36. The extreme forward end of the plate 26 is pivotally supported by means of the bar 37 which is suitably secured as ,by welding to the rear wall 25 of the reel. A number of vertical openings are formed in the bar and securing bolts such as 38 are employed in fastening the ramp plate 26 to said bar. The openings provided in the bar 37 are somewhat larger than the bolts 38 passed through the opening and the structure accordingly provides for limited Vertlcal adjustment of the rear end of the ramp in order to increase or decrease the inclination of the same.

The slde ribs and 31 were described as extending rearwardly beyond the transverse web 33. The rearwardly extending portions of the ribs receive and journal the shaft 40 which serves to pivotally join the supporting portion of the ramp to the inclined section. Rear flanges 41 also extend rearwardly of the rib 33 and are integral therewith. The anges are apertured for receiving the shaft 40 and the same therefore additionally function vas journalling means for said shaft.

The supporting section of the present ramp consists of a pair of stationary saddles and a movable saddle, the said statlonary saddles being spaced with respect to each other and having the movable saddle located therebetween. As best shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the stationary saddles are provided with a bottom plate 43 to which is integrally secured the stationary saddle 44 and the stationary saddle 45. Both saddles are similar in construction, each consisting of a pair of plates 46 and 47 associated with each other in a manner to form a shallow V. The size of the V formation is substantially complementary to the circumference of coil 4S which is adapted to be supported onV the stationary saddles. Each saddle is completed by the side plates 50 and 51 which rest on the bottom plate 43 and suitably support the plates 46 and 47 of the saddle at the desired height. The side plates 50 and 51 of each saddle are reinforced by the transverse standards 52 and and 3.

`respects conforms to the V formation of the stationary saddles. The saddle 54 is reinforced on its undersurface by the longitudinally extending ribs 57 and 58 located at respective sides of the saddle and by the intermediate ribs 60 and 61. All the ribs are joined by a forward transverse plate 62 and by a rear transverse plate 63. The transverse web 64 extends between and connects the ribs 60 and 61 adjacent the rear thereof. The movable saddle 54 is pivotally supported at its forward end by means of shaft 40, which shaft extends through the journal bearing 65. The said bearing forms part of the movable saddle since the bearing is suitably secured to the saddle by being welded to the transverse plate 62 for the length of the same. Movement is imparted to the rear end of the saddle 54 by any suitable means such as an hydraulic cylinder or air cylinder indicated in its entirety by numeral 66. The usual piston operating within cylinder 66 provides the piston rod 67 and pressure uid is admitted and exhausted from respective ends of cylinder 66 through pipes 68 and 69.

It is necessary to support the power cylinder 66 for rocking movement and for that reason the circular band or strap 70 is suitably fixed to the cylinder, being held in secured relation therewith by bolt 71 and being disposed below and in contact with the top Wall of the cylinder. The circular band 70 provides the diametrically extending pintles 72 which are journalled by sections 73 of the standards 74. The individual sections 73 are releasable from the standards to permit assembly of the parts for pivotally mounting the power cylinder, and after the sections have been located on the pintles 72 they are tixedly secured to standards 74 comprising the side arms of a yoke member which includes the supporting base 76, the same constituting a part of and being integral with the bottom plate 43. The movable saddle is provided with rearwardly extending spaced webs 77 which are integral with the plate 56 and extend rearwardly of the saddle in substantial alignment with ribs 60 and 61. At the extreme rear endof each web the same is provided with a hub portion 78 which is apertured for receiving pin 80 by means of which the movable saddle is pivotally secured to the piston rodv 67. It will be seen that energization of power cylinder 66 in a direction to project the piston 67 is communicated to thefmovable saddle, causing pivotal movement of the saddle in a counterelockwise direction, Figure 4. Also energization of the power cylinder to retract the piston rod is likewise communicated to the movable saddle, ef-

fecting pivotal movement of the same in a clockwise direction from an elevated position to a lowered position.

VThe loop control arm 28 is suitably fixed to the transverse shaft 82, passing through opening in the ribs 31 andv 35 and being journalled thereby adjacent the forward end of the ramp 26 and on the left side thereof. The handle 83 is suitably fixed to the outward projecting end of shaft 82 and it is possible for the operator by actuating the handle to retract the loop control arm. However, when the arm is free it is caused to assume a position approxi-v mately ve to ten degrees from vertical and which action is eifected by the balancing weight 84 fixed to rod 85, which is suitably secured to shaft 82 and positioned with respect to the loop control arm 28 so as to depend vertically under the action of weight 84 when the arm is located slightly off the vertical, as clearly illustrated in Figures lj The loop control arm is adapted to control thel size of the loop being fed from the coil supported by theI cradle type'reel 10. When the arm is upright, as shown 'are in Figures 1 and 3', jitwi1 1be ttiidersjtoodthet the' unit energized 'and t a" supporting sliaft7 are being' rotated tol ermeeV the oil irr diel cradle type 4rie-:e1 to rotate eind peg' out stripF materiel. should the free outermost loop in contact with the arinincre'asein size beyond' a predetermined maximum, se'e' Figure A1.,y the control arm will be depressed, whereby 'operation ofthe rno'to njni't' driving the' supporting shafts" 13 `and 14j `is dlsoontinued. The' cradle type reel isV maintained' inoperative u'ritily a predetermined decrease' is e`ile`c"t`ed` in the sine of 'tlie' outermost loop, wh eupo 'the' motor' unit is again energized and the opY "ti n i's` repeated. Actuat'io'n of iiell 'a'S above descrlled controls etfiy yil' cradle type reel through the instrumentality or annoio; switch so,I snitetslysnpported by rib 31 iri vposition for actuation by earn s7. when gire` loop control erin jaesnrir'estire position es in Figure 3, under' the notion ofw'e'glit 84, the' 'earn 8 7 dosno't "contact switch' lever 88. Hwr', as the ar'- isn dpi' d `:irl increase in vthe size of the loop, Figure 1`, position is reached vi'ririgi'ng Cani 87 in'to contact with le/l"A The yswitch- 86 is ccoi'din'gly actuated arid through electrical connectios-the motor' unit of the cradle type reel is disconnected. The electric circuit to said' motor unit isV established again at a certain elevated position of 4the arrn 28 'when lthe cam 87 moves out of contact with lever 88. i y

Itis desirable vto provide a stop member for the coil 48 in order that the oprator in depositing the oil n saddles will know when the coil is positioned substantially centrally f the ramp and also centrally of the movable saddle 54. It will be understood 'that the coil of stock 48 is deposited on the coil supporting portionl ofQthe ramp from the side of the same, and,l assuming that the coil is deposited from the left side of lthe niachine, as 'viewed from the rear, Figure 2, Athe 'stop willbe located in associated relation with the stationary saddle 45. Accord;` ingly, the invention provides a stop supporting rod 90 which is suitably supported by the extensions 77, the same having openings formed therein for receiving l'the l'rod 90 and which isl xed theret'oby set screws 91 As'shown in Figure 5, the said rod 90 extends in a direction toward the right and the stop member 92 is mountedthereon and fixed in desired adjusted position. The stop 92.4essentially consists of a split yoke having the said stop 92'- integral therewith. Bymeans of the split yoke the same is assembledon rod 90 and is locked in adjusted position on' the rod by means of screw 93. m l

During operation of the cradletype reel 10 a coil of stock such as 48 is held inl reserve, being supported onJtlhe stationary saddles 44 and 4S of the pr'esent ramp. The coil 48 may be deposited on the supporting saddles by any suitable means such as a crane orlifter truck. yThe stop member 9 2 is positioned on rbd 90 seas to `position coilv 48 centrally of the ramp structure. The particular posi' tion of stop 92 is determined by the width of the coil- 48 and fora coil of different width i t would be .necessary to change the location of thestop. In fact, for narrow coils which would be wholly supported by the movable saddle, the st'op might have a position overlying the plate 56 ofthe lmovable saddle. The supplyof air pressure to the power cylinder 66 is controlled by the foot switch 95 which controls an electric circuit including the solenoidl actuated valve 96. The electric circuit incorprates .an interlock to be presently described which renders the foot switch operative under certain conditions. When operative said-foot switch will actuate the solenoid valve- 96 to supply fluid under pressure to pipe 69, connecting with power cylinder 66 whereby to project the piston Mrod and elevate the rear end o f the pivoted saddle 54. When the foot switch is released the solenoid valve 96 automatically returns to its initial position,- whichexhauststhe airV vfrom pipe 6'9", allowing the piston rod yand the pivoted saddle to return to retracted position. i y

. 'lhe interlock above mentioned is combined with lthe loop control arm 28. It is necessary to irst retracttlie Gif l satisfactorily provided for inthe past am 28. Before de" Accordingly, the fi er `vjckp 'ed saddle into anI elevated posi arm has been retracted to `a' p u V 'V Figure 4. It is necessary' for' the voperator to :rhone tlief arm into said position by movement of the handle 83 "nd as a result the c'am 97, fixed to' shaft 82, is' caused tti/ contact the switch lever 98 of 'tl'rernieroswltjc'h'-10'0- n actuation of the ni'eroswitcl loothejntelocki inoperative, or, in other words, the' electric circuit tof t switch 95 is closed and' up'on actuation of the fooit'swtcli' solenoid 96 will 1re errergried to effect actuation of e power cylinder a-ndelevation'of the; saddle 54, as described. The inventlon provides an' au matic release for the' loo'p control ar'rn 28 Vafter t has" rolled down the ramp and over tli'e n n n `it the cradle type reel. A kr'iu'rled whel, iden numeral il, is suitably fixed to shaftz and` iezie pir/ered to ribjsr so es* to have holdin the latch when the l'atclii Accordingly, the latch 102 holcisthelloopcoiitrol alfA i a depressed position as v(exemplified by Fig r `4. Ho fever? when the coil es rolls 'down the ramp the arrir'i's" further depressed and this action functions to release the' letoh 1oz, which thereupon returns to its norr'nal inoperatiy'e position wherein the latch is v'e'rtioallyv disposed "a" shown` in Fig'ureB. Assonasthcoil passes'beyond e loop control arm the arm naturally follows the o'oil, S'nrriing its conventional upright position under vthe ct'in ofyveight 84. I l

The c'oil ramp of the invention embodies l f improved featil're's.-v The provisie 'afpaii'l` of.v Vlfsh ldy saddles n which the` Coll is iliill 1y p'Iad'l'S fhfad vantage of supporting 'the coil in a stationary Also the saddles help to vnlinifrliie damage 't tli i Ac'o'll s uch as may result frorn placing the coil onthe saddles;t The' coil isY generally dropped o r deposited with considerable impact and the shallow V formation of thesaddlfes stantia-lry conforms to the contourv of the coil. yThe pivoted release saddleis convenientlylocated between the stationary saddles and its movement is such'that saddle ris elevatedi't initiates rolling action .of .tli`e` co1lf down the ramp. It' hes been foroid that' the 'eenfe'rjof fire i coil is advanced in a `forward direction approirirnately sini inches by elevating the vmovable saddle. Inv other the elevation of the movable saddlet'ran'srriits a distinct forward velocity to uthe' coil, thereby (adding mornf :rfltlrr'` to the coil as well as placing the coil in a condition moving friction insteadof` static friction. AnotliF desirable vvfeature resides in the perfect aii'g'nrirent which is effected between Athe ramp and the reel. In (Seinf-4 nection, it may be lnoted that thev supporting' portion of the ramp may be eiev'ated"somewhat.byylocatingy asliirhplate under base 43 should it be desired to increase the inclination of ramp 26.V AThis is'rniavdepossible by pivotal connection of the front end ci? the ramp bar 37 and Vthe articulated relation which ramp 26 has with the supporting portion of the device.

Another feature incorporated in the present ramp strue-` ture resides' inthe provision of the end gauge 92`. lfthe coil is to beA depositedaccuratelymthen 'the end lo-A cation of the coil should be known. Iltis has not'been v The piesentrrnp structure incorporates a completey 1satis actt'rry 'nd gauge and which is: xed to arid' rrd By the 'releasing saddle. l

The embodiment of the invention ai'eolo in Fig; ure's 6 to l0 inclusive consists 'of a in 1o`vfalller saddle only', the stetioiroiy saddles 'beiiig oiitfed, -sind liereir 'the movable saddle is" ope ely connected to p for po'sitioniogthe saddle for Holding' the e'orl eretto Ol' ft elvtl'llg theV` Sddl W/lljy fO movement "to: the coil.; The may' be 'connected t6 sliiiil de'i'ices 1n tandem relation,v

as shown in Figure 6, so that a plurality of coils may be lstored and rolled into position as they are used up in the reel. Figures 9 and y10 illustrate in detail the construction of the supporting base and movable saddle for each device and reference will now be made to said figures.

The base plate 110 is provided with a plurality of transversely extending plates including a rear plate 111, intermediate plates 112, 113 and a front plate 114. The rear plate 111 and intermediate plate 112 are joined by longitudinally extending end plates 115, 116 and by longitudinally extending intermediate plates 117, 118, the latter being of less height than the end plates since they support the journalling brackets 120.- Said rear plate 111 and intermediate plate 112 are suitably welded to the base 110 and to the longitudinally extending plates 115, 116, 117 and 118, thereby forming a strong unitary assembly.

' Additional longitudinal plates such as 121 connect the intermediate plates 112, 113 and the base structure is substantially completed by still further longitudinally extending plates 122 and 123 comprising end members and intermediate members in the form of plates 124 and 125. The front plate 114 and intermediate plate 113 are connected into a strong unitary assembly with each other and with the base plate by plates 122, 123, 124 and 125 which are suitably welded thereto. Whereas the structure of plates 112 and 118 provides for supporting the hydraulic pressure cylinder on the base, the said assembly of plates 113 and 125 provides structure which pivotally supports the movable saddle.

The movable saddle is likewise formed of an assemblage of plates which comprise a unitary structure adapted to have pivotal movement as heretofore explained for supporting the coil in a stationary manner and for irnparting rolling action to the coil when the movable saddle is elevated. The coil supporting surface of the saddle is formed by three transversely extending plates, namely, 126, 127 and 128. The plates 127 and 128 are welded to each other in a manner to form a shallow V or similar shaped depression. When plate 126 is horizontal the depression in the movable saddle is so disposed as to support a coil of metal stock in a stationary manner. However, when plate 126 of the saddle is elevated the relation of the depression with respect to the pivot axis of the movable saddle is such as to transmit a distinct forward velocity to the coil and thereby starting the coil in motion suicient to cause movement oft of the saddle onto a ramp or the like whereby the coil is delivered to the reel.

Referring again to the plates which make up the reel supporting surface of the movable saddle, it will be seen that the V or the inverted apex of the triangle formed by plates 127 and 128 is located below the level of plate 126 when the latter is horizontal. It will also be observed that the front end of plate 128 is raised or elevated apconsiderable distance whereby to eiect the proper disposition of the depression for stationarily supporting the coil." Also the depression is displaced with respect to the pivot axis some distance to the left and upon rocking the movable saddle clockwise to locate plate 12S in a horizontal position the action is such as toimpart forward momentum to the coil, thus etecting the desired rolling movement ofthe same.

. The coil supporting plates 126, 127 and 128 are welded to depending longitudinal plates 130, 131 and 132 which extend from the left hand end of the movable saddle to the right .hand end and have a shape in side elevation, as best shownin Figure l0. Additional transverse plates 133, 134 and 135 are securedlthereto .in order to form a strong unitary assembly `constituting the movable saddle. Plates 133 have lsuitably welded. thereto the stop plate 136 which is adapted to contact plate 112 to horizontally position'plate 126.v Transverse plate 134 is provided with a pair of lugs 137 suitably secured in spaced relation on the front surface of the plate and which threadedly retain the adjusting screws 138, providing stop members in contact with a rear plate such "as 111 for horizontally positioning plate 128 of the movable saddle.

The movable saddle is pivotally supported on the base structure by the pivot shaft 140 which extends through hub portions 141 and through sleeves 142. The hub portions are respectively secured to the depending plates 130, 131 and 132, whereas, the sleeves 142 are respectively secured to spaced plates 122, 124 and spaced plates 123, 125. The hydraulic pressure cylinder 143 is provided for rocking the movable saddle and it will be observed that the cylinder is operatively connected to the movable saddle at the rear thereof substantially centrally of plate 126. The cylinder is supported for swinging or pivotal movement by means of the brackets 120 which receive pintles 144 projecting from the respective sides of the cylinder approximately centrally of its height. Accordingly, the cylinder is supported by the longitudinal plates 117 and 118 in a manner which allows the cylinder to rock as it effects oscillating movement of the movable saddle. The piston rod 145 is pivotally connected by pin 146 to lugs 147 which depend from the underside of plate 126. The cylinder is suitably powered by pneumatic or hydraulic means whereby to extend or retract the piston rod 145 as a result of which motion the movable saddle is oscillated. With the piston rod retracted the saddle is positioned for holding the coil of metal stock stationary. However, when the power cylinder 143 is energized and the piston rod is extended to elevate plate 126, the front plate 128 is lowered into horizontal position. Thus the coil supported by the saddle will be caused to roll in a direction toward the right, Figure 6, and accordingly said coil can be rolled onto another saddle located in tandem relation therewith, as shown in Figure 6, or the coil can' be rolled onto a ramp, all in a manner as clearly explained in con-l nection with Figure 1.

The invention is not to be limited to or by details of construction of the particular embodiment thereof illustrated by the drawings as various other forms of the device will of course be apparent to thoseV skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In material handling apparatus, the combination with base structure, of supporting means for a coil of metal stock comprising a pair of transversely spaced stationary saddles and a movable saddle disposed in the space between the stationary saddles, each said saddle being formed of plate structure including transversely extending front and rear end plates, connecting longitudinal side plates and coil supporting plates providing a shallow V-shaped top surface respectively and which extends transversely in horizontal alignment, means including a transverse shaft supported by the front transverse plates of the stationary saddles, journalling means provided by the front transverse plate of the movable saddle and which has pivotal connection with said shaft for journalling the movable saddle, whereby said movable saddle may oscillate in a vertical plane to locate the saddle in either a horizontal or vertical position, and power means supported by the base structure and operatively connecting with the plate structure of the movable saddle adjacent the rear thereof, said transverse V-shaped top surface of the movable saddle being so disposed and arranged that when the saddle is horizontal the coil will be stationarily supported and when the saddle is elevated sufficient rolling movement will be imparted to the coil to cause it to roll off the saddle in a forward direction.

2. In material handling apparatus, in combination, a coil supporting structure and an inclined ramp portion adapted to be articulatedly connected thereto, said coil supporting structure including a pair of stationary saddles each having a front wall and being disposed in spaced rela-A tion transversely of the structure, a movable saddle having location between the stationary saddles, a pivot shaft supported by the stationary saddles and extending transversely of the structure forwardly of the front wall of said stationary saddles, means forming part of the movable saddle and having a journalling relation with the pivot shaft thereby providing a pivot axis for the movable saddle, said pivot shaft also providing means by which the ramp portion is articulatedly connected to the coil supporting portion, and power means having connection with the end of the movable saddle opposite the pivot axis for elevating said end to eifect pivotal movement of the movable saddle.

3. In material handling apparatus, in combination, a coil supporting structure and an inclined ramp portion adapted to be articulatedly connected thereto, said coil supporting structure consisting of a pair of stationary saddles each having a front wall and being disposed in spaced relation transversely of the structure, each stationary saddle having a shallow V-shaped coil supporting surface and which surfaces are disposed in horizontal alignment transversely of the structure, a movable saddle located between the stationary saddles, said movable saddle also having a shallow V-shaped coil supporting surface disposed in horizontal alignment with the coil supporting surfaces of the stationary saddles when not elevated, means pivotally supporting the movable saddle at its forward end and which provides a transverse pivot shaft parallel to the front wall of the stationary saddles, said shaft additionally functioning to articulatedly connect the inclined ramp portion to said coil supporting structure, and a pressure cylinder located at the rear end of the movable saddle and operatively connected thereto for effecting pivotal movement of the movable saddle to locate the same in either a horizontal position or in an elevated position.

4. In material handling apparatus, in combination, a coil supporting structure adapted to have a ramp portion associated therewith, said coil supporting structure including a pair of stationary saddles disposed in spaced relation transversely of the structure, said stationary saddles each being formed of plate structure and each providing a shallow V-shaped coil supporting surface in horizontal alignment with each other transversely of the structure, a movable saddle located between the stationary saddles and which is also formed of plate structure arranged to provide a shallow V-shaped coil supporting surface disposed in alignment with stationary saddles when the movable saddle is horizontally positioned, means including a horizontal pivot shaft disposed transversely of the structure and located forwardly in advance of said saddles, means supporting the pivot shaft from the stationary saddles, other means forming part of the movable saddle and having journalling relation with the pivot shaft whereby the movable saddle may be oscillated in a vertical direction about said pivot shaft as an axis, and a pressure cylinder located at the rear of the movable saddle and operatively connected thereto for effecting vertical movement of the saddle to locate the same in either a horizontal position or in an elevated position, whereby a coil of stock supported by the saddles is elevated by elevating the movable saddle and which by reason of its shallow V-shaped coil supporting surface additionally imparts initial rolling movement to the coil to start rolling movement thereof onto the ramp portion.

5. In material handling apparatus, the combination with base structure, of means for supporting a coil of metal stock comprising a saddle mounted for rocking movement on said base structure, said saddle being formed of plate structure including transversely extending front and rear plates, connecting longitudinal side plates and coil supporting top plates, said coil supporting top plates being arranged to provide a shallow V-shaped depression extending transversely of the saddle, pivot means in associated relation with the longitudinal side plates for mounting the saddle on the base structure for rocking movement about a transverse axis spaced below but parallel to the said depression in the coil supporting surface of the saddle, power means mounted by the base structure for rocking said movable saddle, means operatively connecting the power means to the rear of the movable saddle in longitudinally spaced relation with respect to the pivot axis, and said coil supporting top plates being so disposed and arranged that the coil will be stationarily supported when the saddle is located in one position, and when the saddle is located in another position suilicient rolling movement will be imparted to the coil to cause the same to roll olf the forward end of the saddle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,198,644 Wettengel Apr. 30, 1940 2,262,118 Sieger Nov. 11, 1941 2,268,693 Boyer Ian. 6, 1942 2,285,475 Valusek June 9, 1942 2,361,222 McBride Oct. 24, 1944 2,485,961 Duby Oct. 25, 1949 

